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Democratic Values- Dbq

Democratic values are the fundamental beliefs that founded the United States and represent the core of America. Throughout history, many reform movements sought to expand these strong values that represent the unity among Americans through “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The magnification of these principles can be especially seen through the time period of 1825-1850, where much change was beginning to occur. While all of these reforms sought to expand the democratic ideals, only certain movements succeeded and presented the deserved freedom of rights to all. Movements involving religion, juvenile institutions, and women’s rights supported and expanded upon these ideals while other aspects such as temperance and utopianism failed to offer the true meaning. Foremost, the Second Great Awakening, a religious revival, helped to expand democratic ideals by raising the standards and morals of the common man. Charles G. Finney believed that if people focused on religion and the church then “…the reformation and salvation of sinners will follow,” (Doc B). He said that it would also lead to the conversion of many diverse people including “harlots, drunkards, and infidels,” due to reforms in the church. With the belief that goodness led to salvation, many people in the communities were surrounded by good deeds for humanity. It offered a more uplifting view upon life where, “…the rich have many troubles which we know nothing of; and that the poor, if they are but good, may be very happy, indeed…” (Doc E). Along with equality and goodness among others, the reforms of prisons and treatment of the mentally ill were also changing through Dorthea Dix. The benefits of these reforms where seen by “rescuing [the prisoners] from vice and rendering them valuable members of society, (Doc A). Another very important reform was the beginning of the women’s movement where they desired increased freedom “to declare our right to be as free as man is free,” (Doc I). All of...

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...Democracy provides citizens with the opportunity to participate in the decision-making processes that impact their lives. The government must recognize rights of the individual and give them the opportunity to exercise those rights. With that said, it is our personal values that govern our conduct and determine who we are as individuals. In this same manner, our societal values guide our countries conduct and govern who we are as a nation. This essay reviews the six American values that have been introduced in this course, how those values have been intertwined throughout our history and how they helped to form our representative democratic governance.
We are bound together by these values and we are defined by the decisions that we make as a unified entity. These values not only serve as the basis for our belief systems but, also, help to define our political and justice systems. The roots of democracy can be traced far back in history but the path must include the logic and philosophy presented to us by Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Each had ideas on how city-states and government should be conducted (and monitored). And while that did have different views, each have contributed ideas, in some fashion, to the beliefs that we hold as an ideal forms of government and how we should interact or allow those that govern us to conduct themselves; particularly so was...

...everyday through media outlet are a major example of the production of democraticvalues. Unquestionably, having open and free space to discuss what topics concern ourselves and others is what allows us to be heard and listened to. The rights to express our opinions has been shown throughout history and the media.
One example of how our democratic ideals are meaningful was the passing of the Bill of Rights. The first amendment in the Bill of Rights states that we have the right to “freedom of speech…”. This right did not come about with restrictions on what could or couldn’t be voiced. In fact, the expressions of our forefathers to our rights of free speech were proved through their democratic principles. Our forefathers democracy also influenced the right to free expression in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which under Article 19 recognizes freedom of speech as a human right. So this is more evidence supporting the importance of or democratic opinions.
Furthermore, the media helps us to advance our democratic beliefs by supplying us with informative news concerning our politics and economy. The news station CNN gives insightful reports to our citizens about the political arena. For example the daily voter polls, reports and debates covering the presidential race between candidates Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain which ensures our views are communicated which leads to...

...Between 1825 and 1850 many reform movements gained momentum and began to transform the laws and institutions of the United States. These reform movements were spurred largely by the Second Great Awakening which, because religion was moving into a more liberal light, spread a contagious desire of reform nationwide and allowed for the bettering of American lives. Among the reform movements driven by the Great Awakening was a rise in anti-slavery supporters, vast women’s rights movements, and reform of school, prison and institutional systems. All of the reform movements that began in the early 19th century enabled the expansion of the most important Democratic ideal, the inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
It is a core belief in Democratic idealism that all humans are endowed with the right to life and the reform movements of the early-mid 1800’s expanded that ideal. A large role in the expansion of the right to life during this time is the anti-slavery movement. The Second Great Awakening persuaded many to see slavery as a sin and in an engraving by Patrick Reason from 1835, the words “Am I not a woman and a sister?” arc above the depiction of a slave woman (Doc. C). The engraving supports the concept that anti-slavery was popular at that time, enough so that Reason wanted to express his desires. The artwork clearly supports the idea of anti-slavery as well as the fight against oppression of women. Also...

...Debate
Indian Democracy is Devoid of DemocraticValues
By Aakriti Suri
Aakriti Suri
The Constitution of India was designed to keep the country together, to take it forward, to heal the wounds of the past, to make Indians of different castes and communities move forward in a shared political environment. It sought to nurture democratic institutions. But looking at the present condition of democracy in our country, the painstaking work of our Constitution makers would make them squirm in their graves.
The Preamble of our constitution very clearly lists out the basic values of democracy. It states that India is a democratic country that secures its citizens social, economic and political justice. Well, I am pained to say that despite being independent for so many years, we still have demons of social injustice looming large around us. Dalits are still being denied to function despite being appointed as Sarpanch in panchayats of many villages. Untouchability and killing of girl children are some evils still very prevalent. There is no economic or political justice either. The gap between the haves and the have nots is ever increasing!
Today, what we have is a democracy of elections. After winning an election, political parties become brazen and arrogant. Scams, scandals, embezzlement, misuse of public money, ironically, have become many a politician’s ‘DemocraticValue’. Many will...

...Thesis: It would appear that the assertion that Democratic-Republicans were strict interpreters of the Constitution while Federalists were not are only somewhat accurate.
The Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Kercheval is of particular interest because Jefferson outright states “...I know also, that the laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind”. This is somewhat different from the traditional image of Jefferson interpreting the constitution as absolute under any circumstances. The fact that he himself writes that the constitution must be adapted to the times suggest that Jefferson, like the Democratic-Republican party as a whole, was not such an absolutist. Jefferson also states that “I am certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions...” which would seem to indicate that He also believed that a change to the constitution was a serious thing not to be taken lightly much like the historical image of the Democratic-Republicans. Jefferson believed that amendments would eventually become necessary to preserve the constitution as a credible document, however he also believed such changes should only be made when absolutely necessary. The fact that this idea about the constitution (that it was not perfect and would eventually need change) contradicts the historical image of strict and absolute interpretation of the constitution that...

...﻿“Discuss the key foreign and domestic issues from the 2012 Presidential campaign. Evaluate to what extent each party’s policies were consistent with democraticvalues.”
The 57th quadrennial United States Presidential Election was held on the 6th of November 2012, with a fight out between the incumbent, President Barack Obama for the Democratic Party, and Mitt Romney as the Republican candidate. The election saw two candidates with largely different approaches to key foreign and domestic issues.
The centre point of the Presidential Election was the economy. The Democrat’s Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which was a stimulus package worth $768 (USD) billion that included tax cuts, investment in education, infrastructure, energy research, health and other programmes that would benefit the economy. Obama also bailed out the US auto industry and signed trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. However the Republican’s Romney planned to centre on tax cuts, repeal of Obama’s 2010 healthcare reform law and the repeal of 2012 Wall Street and banking regulations. Romney argued that reduction in regulation would stifle economic growth. In response to Obama’s actions and Romney opposed the auto industry bailout and proposed to reduce federal spending significantly. Issues such as the auto industry bailout is a reflection of individualism, Romney emphasised the need of self-reliance from within the...

...In this assignment I will be addressing the ways that everyday democraticvalues and the language associated with democracy can be embedded in the actions and relationships of individuals working with children and young people. I will establish that democracy is a fundamental value in its own right, but that it has many components including other values such as respect and privacy along with the basis for the way in which we would like others to treat us. I will be outlining ‘everyday democracy’ and that this means the empowerment over decisions we make that directly affect our lives.
Next, I will determine the importance of democratic language and how it is reflected in different generations. I will consider the element of ‘power’ within these relationships and reflect on why, as a nation, we seem reluctant to use the language of everyday democracy with children and young people.
I will address how values, both personal and that of organisations can contribute to ethical practice by forming the ‘rules’ through which decisions are made. There are times when values and ethical practice may clash and reflecting on practice as individuals along with the children, young people and families with whom we work would be necessary.
I will consider competing values and social change in the teaching of citizenship in secondary schools. This was combined within...

...DemocraticValues and Leadership By A New Generation, SIPA Commencement Address 2011
“DEMOCRATICVALUES AND LEADERSHIP BY A NEW GENERATION”
SIPA Commencement Address by H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan
Columbia University, New York, May 14th 2011
Thank you, Dean Coatsworth, for your kind words of introduction.
President Bollinger, distinguished faculty, proud parents, loving friends and, most importantly, the graduates of the class of 2011, good afternoon.
I am honored to be a part of such a joyous occasion, and at an institution so close to my heart.
From receiving an honorary degree from Columbia in 1998 to my current role as a Global Fellow, I count myself very fortunate to have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with this great university.
When I was Secretary-General, I regularly turned to Columbia and its faculty for advice on the most pressing of global issues.
So today I feel privileged to be able to pay back a little of this debt by sharing some thoughts with you – the next generation of leaders.
Students of the class of 2011, you – and your parents and partners– have every reason for pride.
A diploma from SIPA is not only proof of your intelligence and hard work. It also highlights your commitment to focus on the problems our world faces.
But I have to remind you that the diploma you are receiving also carries with it a big responsibility.
It is a responsibility to apply the...